Spring break is coming, and for a lot of people, that means sun, drinks, and questionable judgment—often on a boat. The combination of inexperience, overconfidence, and alcohol makes for an accident waiting to happen. And when it does, the injuries can be serious. Unlike a fender bender on the highway, a boating crash doesn’t end with drivers exchanging insurance info and calling it a day. Instead, you could be dealing with jurisdictional headaches, evasive insurance companies, and the sheer messiness of proving negligence in a setting with no road signs or traffic lights.
Investigating the Wreck
Boating accidents don’t come with a handy police report that spells out exactly what happened. Proving negligence means collecting as much evidence as possible—witness statements, damage reports, and photos of the wrecked boat (or boats). Even life jackets, broken equipment, or video footage from nearby boats can make or break a case.
The problem? Evidence disappears fast. Water washes away crucial details, boats get towed off, and memories get fuzzy—especially if alcohol was involved. Acting quickly is key. If you’re injured, your priority is medical care, but getting someone to document the scene can save you a lot of frustration later.
Figuring Out Who’s Responsible
Unlike a car crash, where liability is usually clear, boating accidents can have multiple responsible parties. Maybe the boat operator was reckless. Maybe the rental company let someone without a clue drive off with a high-powered speedboat. Or maybe faulty equipment turned a minor mishap into a disaster.
When multiple parties share the blame, the legal process gets even messier. That’s where an attorney can help sort out liability—because the last thing you want is the responsible party pointing fingers while you’re stuck with medical bills.
The Insurance Game
Boating insurance isn’t like auto insurance. Some boaters don’t even have coverage, and the ones who do might have policies filled with exclusions that let their insurer off the hook. Even when coverage applies, insurance companies are more than happy to lowball victims, delay payments, or deny claims outright.
A strong case requires:
- Knowing which policy applies (personal boating insurance? Homeowner’s policy? A rental company’s coverage?)
- Understanding state and maritime laws (because water accidents don’t always follow land-based rules)
- Pushing back against insurance tactics that try to minimize your injuries or shift blame
Going up against an insurance company alone is like playing poker with someone who can see your cards. They do this every day. You don’t. And they count on that.
Appropriate Compensation
Boating injuries can be brutal—broken bones, spinal injuries, concussions from near-drowning, or even burns from boat fires. And just because you survived the accident doesn’t mean the costs stop after the hospital visit.
A proper injury claim considers:
- Ongoing medical treatment (because rehab and physical therapy aren’t free)
- Lost wages if you’re out of work
- Pain and suffering (which insurance companies love to downplay)
- Future expenses, like home modifications if the injury is long-term
Insurance companies will offer a quick payout that looks good on paper but doesn’t come close to covering long-term costs. That’s why documenting everything—from medical records to how the injury affects daily life—matters.
Get Someone Who Knows How to Fight for You
Boating accident claims are full of legal loopholes, stubborn insurance companies, and people who refuse to take responsibility. If you’re dealing with injuries from a boat crash, don’t try to figure it out alone. Feldman Legal Group knows how to take on insurers, build strong cases, and get injured victims the compensation they actually deserve. Call us today, and let’s talk about what happens next.
(877) 946-8293